Eyeglass construction



I May 27, 1941. G. E. NERNEY EYEGLASS CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 24, 1940 22 k 5 W INVENTOR Z1 BYggolye M27117 @WX IATTORNEYS Patented May 27, 1941 E-YEGLAS S CONSTRUCTION George E. Nerney, Attleboro, Mass, assignor to Bay State Optical Company, Attleboro, Mass., a

corporation of Maine Application February 24, 1940, Serial No. 320,601

9 Claims.

This invention relates to eyeglass construction, and more particularly to an eyeglass frame formed from a plastic material.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an eyeglass construction which will be simple, practical and thoroughly durable. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character having a minimum of parts, and capable of easy assembly. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character wherein the metal parts are concealed to a great extent to give a pleasing effect. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which may be readily and inexpensively manufactured in large quantities. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which will be neat and attractive in appearance. A further object is to provide a construction of the above character which is sturdy and durable under strain of extended use. A still further object is to provide a construction of the above character wherein the metal parts are reliably secured to the plastic material. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of my invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an eyeglass frame with my construction embodied therein;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the frame shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan View, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the frame as shown in Figure 1; and,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the various views of the drawing.

In order to set forth a more comprehensive understanding of certain features of this invention, it might here be pointed out that in eyeglass frames or the like, and more particularly where frames of non-metallic construction are associated with metal fittings, considerable difficulty is experienced in providing a connection between the fittings and the frame. The main difiiculty lies in obtaining a joint between the fittings and the frame which will not loosen after continued usage, for when such loosening occurs it is difficult, and sometimes impossible to correct. A further difficulty has been experienced in obtaining a frame of the above type which will present a neat and attractive appearance. In order to secure a strong connection between the fittings and the non-metallic frame, fittings of considerable size have been used. As the plastic materials are usually partially or completely transparent, the fittings are visible and detract from the appearance of the frame. Another object of this invention is to provide a construction of the above character in which the abovementioned difficulties, in addition to many others, are successfully and efiiciently overcome.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in Figure l a non-metallic eyeglass frame, generally indicated at It), which is made of a plastic material such as Zylonite. Frame l0 comprises rims H and I2, which are connected by a bridge generally indicated at l3. A pair of nose guards l4 and I?) are preferably formed on rims II and I2 along their inner edges and are preferably integral therewith. A pair of temples I6 and H are connected to frame Hi by a temple-supporting fitting generally indicated at Hi, all as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Temple-supporting fitting i8 comprises a pair of temple-supporting arms I9 and 20 connected to a metal part, generally indicated at 2| (Figure 2). Metal part 2| projects forwardly from arms |9 and 20 and has an opening formed therein which extends through and. substantially across the part 2|. Block insert 23 (Figure 2) is made of the same material as frame H) and is preferably adapted to substantially fill opening 22 when it is placed therein. The thicknessof block insert 23 is substantially the same as the thickness of part 2|. As may be best seen in Figure 2, bridge l3 has a slot 24 cut therein which extends substantially across the bridge and passes from the front to the back thereof. The sides of this slot are preferably in planes which are substantially horizontal with respect to the normal position of the frame when worn, and its length and thickness are substantially the same as the length and thickness of part 2|. 7 7

To secure temple-supporting fitting IE to bridge l3, block insert 23 is first placed in opening 22. Next metal part 2|. and insert 23 are given a coating of lacquer and then dipped in ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate is a solvent for the plastic material from which insert 23 .is made, and,-

accordingly, softens the exposed surface of the insert. While the insert is in this softened state, part 2| with the insert therein. is placed in slot 24.

The upper and lower portions 30 and 3| of bridge l3 are then pressed together, and the ethyl acetate, which covers part 2| and insert 23, softens the abutting surfaces defining slot 24. As the ethyl acetate evaporates, the softened surfaces abutting part 2| fuse thereto and insert 23 fuses to the abutting inner surfaces of the upper and lower portions 30 and 3| and thus becomes an integral part of bridge l3. As a result of becoming an integral part of the bridge,

insert 23 forms a bond between the upper and lower portions 36 and 3|, and, at the same time forms a brace, which prevents movement of fitting l8 with respect to bridge l3.

Temple-supporting arms l9 and 20 extend outwardly from metal part 2 I, and follow the .curvature of the upper edges of rims l l and [2, as may be best seen in Figure 1. These arms preferably lie behind the rims and are of light construction to decrease their visibility from the front of the frame. The outer ends of the arms curve slightly rearwardly and are connected to the temples l6 and IT by suitable hinge connections 26. Templesupporting arms 19 and 26 are not connected to rims H and i2 except by metal part 2i and thus are adapted to absorb twisting strains which may be placed on the temple-supporting fitting when atwisting action is exerted on the temples.

Thus, a neat and attractive frame hasbeen disclosed in which a temple-supporting fitting is securely connected to the bridge of a non-metallic frame in such a manner that a minimum of the metallic part of the frame is visible. Furthermore, I have provided a temple-supporting fitting comprising a minimum of parts which may be easily and quickly secured to a non-metallic frame. It will thus be seen that I have provided a thoroughly practical, efficient, and durable construction in which the several objects described hereinabove, as well asmany others, have been successfully achieved.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the, above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: 7

1. In eyeglass construction, in combination, an eyeglass frame formed from a material plastic in character including a non-metallic bridge, a flat metallic part embedded in said bridge having a vertical opening of substantial size formed therein, a majority of said partbeing traversed by said opening, said material extending into said opening, and a pair of templesupporting arms connected to said part, said-part being the sole connectionof said arms to said frame.

2. In eyeglass frame construction, in combination, a bridge formed from a material plastic in character, a flat metal part havingits greatest dimension in a horizontal plane embedded in said bridge in substantially a horizontal plane with respect to the normal position of the frame when worn, said part having an opening of substantial size extending vertically therethrough, said plastic material extending through said opening, and a pair of temple-supporting arms connected to said metal part. 7

3. In eyeglass construction, in combination, a bridge formed from a material plastic in character having a slot therein, a metal part mounted in said slot having an opening of substantial size formed therein, an insert of plastic material substantially filling said opening, means securing said piece of plastic material to the sides of said slot, and a pair of temple-supporting arms connected to said part, said part being the sole connection between said arms and said frame.

4. In eyeglass construction, in combination, an eyeglass frame formed from a material plastic in character including a non-metallic bridge having a slot therein, an elongated metal part mounted in said slot having an opening therein, said opening extending substantially throughout the length of said part, a piece of plastic material substantially filling said opening, means securing said piece of plastic material to the sides of said slot, and a pair of temple-supporting arms connected to said part, said part being the sole connection of said arms to said frame.

5. In eyeglass construction, in combination, an eyeglass frame formed from material plastic in character including a non-metallic bridge, an elongated flat metal part embedded in said bridge in substantially a horizontal plane with respect to the normal position of the frame when worn, said part having an opening formed therein extending vertically therethrough, said opening extending substantially throughout the length of said part and having said plastic material extending therethrough, and a pair of temple-supporting arms connected to said metal part.

6. In eyeglass construction, in combination, an eyeglass frame formed from a material plastic in character including a non-metallic bridge, a slot formed in said bridge extending therethrough in substantially a horizontal plane with respect to the normal position of the frame when worn, a metal part mounted in said slot having an opening of substantial size formed therein, an insert of plastic material substantially filling said opening, means securing said piece of plastic material to the sides of said slot, a pair of temple-supporting arms connected to said metal part, said part forming the sole connection between said arms and said frame, and a pair of temples horizontally connected to the outer ends of said temple-supporting arms.

'7. In eyeglass construction, in combination, an eyeglass frame formed from material plastic in character including a non-metallic bridge, an elongated flat metal part having its greatest dimension in a horizontal plane connected to said bridge in substantially a horizontal plane with respect to the normal position of the frame when worn, said part having a vertical opening of substantial size formed therein extending substantially throughout the length thereof, said plastic material extending into said opening, and a pair of temple-supporting arms secured to said part, said part being the sole connection of said arms to said frame.

8. In an eyeglass frame construction, in combination, a bridge formed from a material plastic in character and having a slot therein, an elongated flat metal part mounted in said slot having an opening formed therethrouh, said opening extending substantially throughout thelength of said part, said part lying in substantially a horizontal plane with respect to the normal position of the frame when worn, a piece of plastic material substantially filling said opening and secured to the bridge surfaces at the sides of said slot,

a pair of temple-supporting arms connected to said metal part, said flat metal part forming the sole connection between said arms and said frame.

9. In eyeglass construction, in combination, an

eyeglass frame formed from a material plastic in 5 character including a non-metallic bridge having a slot therein, an elongated metal part mounted in said slot having an opening therein, said open- 

